COACHELLA, Calif., Nov. 18, 2025 – 29 Brews, owned and operated by the Twenty-Nine Palms Band of Mission Indians continued its winning streak, with the Chairman’s Mexican Lager capturing a bronze medal in the American Cream Ale category at the 2025 Great American Beer Festival (GABF) competition in Denver, hosted and presented by the Brewers Association®. 29 Brew has the distinction of being the only Coachella Valley brewery to ever earn recognition at this prestigious national competition.
Established in 1982, the GABF is the largest ticketed beer festival in the United States and one of the largest in the world. Beers and ciders spanning 108 beer categories and six cider categories were judged by panels of professional industry experts. Winning a coveted GABF medal signifies international recognition for brewing excellence, honoring both quality and style accuracy.
Founded in December 2020, 29 Brews, in residence at Spotlight 29 Casino’s Taproom 29,
has quickly gained acclaim for its craftsmanship and creativity. The Chairman’s Mexican Lager features a crisp, balanced profile with a smooth malt quality and a subtle hop note. Together with the award-winning Chairman’s Blonde, the Chairman’s brand lineup continues to be a top seller at the Tribe’s Spotlight 29 and Tortoise Rock Casinos with over 44,000 pints poured last year.
“I’m so proud of the 29 Brews team, whose focus and craftsmanship have taken us from a startup brewery to a nationally recognized brand in a short time,” said Twenty-Nine Palms Band of Mission Indians Chairman Darrell Mike. “This recognition for the Chairman’s Mexican Lager is a testament to their talent and hard work.”
Brewed with precision by Brewmaster Jacob Jimenez, the 29 Brews portfolio features eight handcrafted styles, from the bronze medal-winning Mad Bison Stout to the Hoppin’ Aussie Hop’, an Australian Pale Ale that earned a silver medal earlier this year. The beers are poured exclusively at Spotlight 29 Casino’s Taproom 29, Tortoise Rock Casino, and the Red Falcon Lounge, all wholly owned and operated by the Twenty-Nine Palms Band of Mission Indians. 29 Brews can also be found at the Chairman’s Club inside Acrisure Arena and at major Coachella Valley events such as The American Express Golf Tournament and the BNP Paribas Open.
Earlier this year, 29 Brews was also recognized as “California Brewery of the Year” for the second consecutive year at the 2025 New York International Beer Competition, where the Chairman’s Mexican Lager earned a gold medal—further underscoring the brewery’s continued momentum and growing reputation for excellence.
About Twenty-Nine Palms Band of Mission Indians and Business Enterprises
Spotlight 29 Casino, Tortoise Rock Casino, Shelee’s Travel Center, Red Falcon and 29 Brews are wholly owned business operations of the Twenty-Nine Palms Band of Mission Indians, a Chemehuevi people whose traditional territory includes parts of California, Utah, Arizona, and Southern Nevada. In 1867, a Clan of Chemehuevi settled at the Oasis of Mara. The Twenty-Nine Palms Band of Mission Indians are their descendants. Today, the Tribe’s lands consist of one Reservation separated by the Joshua Tree National Park over two counties from Coachella, CA to Twentynine Palms, CA. The Twenty-Nine Palms Band of Mission Indians will continue to focus on providing opportunities of growth and prosperity for the Tribe’s future generations. For more information about the Twenty-Nine Palms Band of Mission Indians, its culture, heritage, and traditions, visit 29palmstribe.org